Scotland Women in Technology funds AI leadership training for 40 participants
Scotland Women in Technology has partnered with The Data Lab to fund two cohorts of a data and AI leadership programme, supporting 40 early- to mid-career women across the Scottish technology sector over two years.
The programme combines virtual and in-person sessions. The first phase runs online, with the second held in person. Participants receive 10 hours of facilitated learning covering how organisations use data and AI, including readiness assessments, identifying AI opportunities, and aligning strategy with business goals.
The curriculum also covers developing and implementing data and AI strategies, assessing current practice, and designing adoption roadmaps. The two cohorts are scheduled for 2026 and 2027.
Why this matters for executives
Women make up 21% of the UK technology sector, according to figures cited by both organisations. The Lovelace Report documents an exodus of women from the sector, a trend both groups aim to reverse through targeted investment in leadership skills.
Silka Patel, Founder and Chair of Scotland Women in Technology, said the partnership ensures women have decision-making power as AI becomes central to business strategy. "With the rise in AI, it is vital that opportunities are created to ensure everyone has a seat at the table when it comes to making AI decisions," she said.
Heather Thomson, Chief Executive Officer of The Data Lab, added that the programme addresses a broader business need. "With women representing only 21% of the UK's tech sector, it is critical they have access to opportunities to advance their data and AI careers, and that businesses of all sizes can tap into the diverse talent they need to thrive," she said.
Expanded access beyond formal training
The partnership funds more than 30 places for women to attend DataFest over the next two years, broadening access beyond formal leadership training to Scotland's data and AI community.
Applicants can come from the technology sector or technology-related roles in other industries. The programme targets early- to mid-career professionals rather than senior executives alone.
Scotland Women in Technology, founded in 2008, operates as a not-for-profit focused on gender equality in the Scottish technology sector. The Data Lab is Scotland's innovation centre for data and AI, hosted by the University of Edinburgh and funded through the National Innovation Centres Programme by the Scottish Funding Council.
For executives and strategy professionals developing their own data and AI capabilities, resources on AI for Executives & Strategy and AI for Management cover similar topics around organisational strategy alignment and leadership in data-driven decision-making.
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